How to train chickens to use a treadle feeder?

[Crs1]

I recently bought a Vevor automatic chicken feeder. I am having a big issue with sparrows, so I thought that it would help.
My question is, how do you train the chickens to use it? How long does it take to train them?
I have taken out the feeders that I used and replaced with one of these.
If anyone has advice on how to do this, I would appreciate it!
Thank You
Connie

 

[L Home Farm]

I guess you mean a treadle feeder that they step on the pedal and the lid opens?

I trained mine by, at normal feeding time, putting the feed in. SHOWING them, the feed is in THERE. Then I lift a chicken on to the pedal. Let it eat a little, then take it off. Encourage it back on. Repeat. Do this a cpl of times. Then next feeding time put the feed in. See if they have figured out. If not, repeat the first bit.

If you have chicks, beware! I have had some get closed in the treadle feeder.

 

[Captain13]

If sparrows weren’t the problem, you can prop the feed opening up during the day so that they can feed. Do this for a week. Remove the prop and they will go back, step on the treadle and it will now open as designed. That will usually get them trained to use it. Also, take the prop out at night so that rodents can’t get in the feed.